Stapling machine or tacker



Aug. 14, 1934. A. H. MAYNARD STAPLING MACHINE OR TACKER 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l h n 1 I I I I I l I N\\ Mk INWWHHHHHHHNAHFF fi/ Filed Jan. 17

Au 14, 1934. A, MAYNARD 1,970,101

STAPLING MACHINE OR TACKER Filed Jan. 1'7, 1931 S Sheets-Sheet 2 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 f w 2 Z Aug, 14, 1934. A.'H. MAYNARD STAPLING MACHINE OR TACKER Filed Jan. 17, 1931 retested Aug. 14, 934

PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES STAPLING MACHINE R TACKER Arthur H. Maynard, Warwick, It.

Wire Stitcher Company,

Boston 1., assignor to Portland,

29 Claims.

This invention relates to stapling-machines for feeding and driving. wire staples, double-pointed tacks or other typesof fasteners; and particularly to a device adapted to be operated in the manner of a hammer to drive the staples, tacks or the like into packing cases in attaching tags or labels thereto and for other similar purposes such as tacking shades to rollers and fastening matting or carpet to fioors.

One object of the invention is to provide a device or appliance of the type specified which may be conveniently wielded in the hand to cause it to operate automatically to feed and drive the staples or other fasteners into place when a blow is struck against the object into which they are to be driven.

Another object of the invention is to providea device of the type specified of simple construction, compact in size, positive in action, and proof against derangement or getting out of order when subjected to rough treatment.

Another'object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which operates automatically to feed a staple into a carrier or slide as each blow is struck and to thereafter position it to be driven upon the succeeding blow; and to continue the feeding and positioning of the staples during successive operations of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified in which the staples are fed singly into the carrier-slide upon the retraction of the latter when a blow is struck and thereafter positioned beneath the driver to be driven positively at the next operation.

Further objects of the improvement are' set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the device, by way of example, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an improved staplehammer or tacker embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view. of the same showing the stapling-mechanism in normal position ready to be operated to drive a staple;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the head of the device showing the parts of the stapling-mechanism in position under impact when the blow is struck to drive a staple;

Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary sectional view showing the parts being returned to first position with a staple carried in the canier-slide;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the head similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts fully returned to first While the invention is herein described and corners as shown more particularly in position with a staple held beneath the driver to be driven as the next blow is struck;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the head showing the parts in position at the completion of the blow 6 which drives the staple into the work;

Fig. '7 is a front view of the head showing the parts in normal position as illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the parts in position under the impact when a blow is struck to drive a staple;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the handle of the tacker taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a similar view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the head of the de- 7 vice, part sectional on line 11-11 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the staplecarrier or slide; and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the staple-positioning pawl which is carried on and operated during the movement of the slide.

The invention consists in general in providing an improved stapling-mechanism, and more specifically, a hammer-like stapling-machine or tacker having a handle constituting a magazine for holding the staples or other fasteners, with a head at its end carrying means for automatically positioning and .driving the staples into the work when a blow is struck thereagainst.

illustrated as embodied in a machine for driving substantially U-shaped staples, it is to be understood that its mechanism may be modified to adapt it for driving fasteners of other types such as tacks, brads, nails or the like. Therefore, in the following specification and claims the term staple is to be interpreted in a broad sense as applying to all forms of fasteners and the like.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the present drawings, in the embodiment of the invention as herein shown the hammer or tacker comprises an elongated, hollow handle 2, preferably constructed of sheet-metal shaped to a substantially rectangular contour in cross-section with rounded Figs. 9 and 10'. The handle 2 is of generally channel-shape, having a bottom, sides and inturned, downwardly-depending flanges 3 forming a walled passageway extending longitudinally throughout the 105 greater part of its length. Extending longitudinally within the interior of the handle 2 is a staple-core 5 consisting of a rectangular strip or bar fastened to its bottom wall by rivets 6. The top of the staple-core 5 is recessed or channeled at '7 along its entire length, leaving opposite ribs or ledges 8 at either side which form spaced rests for the staples s straddled thereacross. The lower horizontal edges 4 of the flanges 3 serve as guides for holding the staples down on the core 5, these edges being inclined upwardly at the rear of the handle, as shown in Fig. 2, for a purpose as later explained.

Between the sides of the handle 2 and the channel-strips or flanges 3 are reenforcing strips 9, preferably secured in place by spot-welding as indicated at 11 in Fig. 1. The strips 9 are welded directly to the sides of the handle 2 and also to the inner faces of the channel flanges 3. Let into recesses at the rearward end of the longitudinal strips 9 are rectangular plates 10, spotwelded to the sides of the strips as indicated at 18 in Fig. 2, and formed with V-shaped notches 12 which are employed for a purpose as later explained. At the forward end of the handle 2' are shorter and wider strips 15 let into recesses 16 in the strips 9 and welded thereto. The plates 15 are cut away at the top, see Fig. 3, to form circular seats for a mandrel which supports the coiled spring for the staple-pusher to be later described. Within the circular seats are notches 17 to be later referred to in connection with the means for mounting the pusher-spring.

Atthe forward end of the handle 2 the sheetmetal sides are extended upwardly with a curved contour at 19 to adapt them to be joined to the head 20 which is constructed in the form of a separate, metal filler-block. The sides of the handle 2 have wing-like extensions 21 which are let into recesses 22 on the sides of the head 20, and extending forwardly thereacrass are folded inwardly to provide vertical flanges 23 on the front of the head, see Figs. 7 and 8. The top of the curved forward wall 19 of the handle is cut away to form a central slot 24 and the portions of the stock at either side thereof are let into a recess 25 on the rear of the head 20, see Fig. 2, to provide a smooth, unbroken joinder of the parts. The rectangular block or head 20 of the hammer is secured in place within the side-wings or extensions 21 of the handle by means of rivets 26 passing therethrough. I

At the bottom of the head 20 is a separate metal block 30 having its upper portion 31 recessed along its sides to provide a cross-sectional width corresponding to that of the stable-core 5 and arranged in alinement therewith to form a continuation thereof. The block 30 is set into a recess 32 and extends upwardly from the bottom of the head 20 with its top flush with the top of the staple-core 5, and preferably it is provided on its sides with splines 33 fitted to grooves in the sides of the depending leg-portions 34 of the head. The recess 32 extends slightly higher than the block 30 to provide a space above the top of the latter for the heads of the staples, see Fig. 8. The block 30 is held in place by a'rivet 35 passing through the winged extensions of the handle 2 as shown in Fig. 8. The top of the reduced portion 31 of the block 30 is spaced at a slight distance below the bottom of the cut out opening in the lower end of the head 20 to. provide a channel through which the staples s slide as they continue their feed forwardly beyond the end of the staple-core 5. The block 30 is preferably located in exact alinement with the staple-core 5 by means of a dowelpin 36 extending into holes in these parts.

The staples are slid forwardly on the core 5 to feed them to the forward end of the block 30 by means of a staple-pusher 40. The staplepusher 40 is preferably constructed of sheetmetal formed in inverted trough-shape, see Fig. 9, and arranged with its sides straddling the sides of the core 5 to adapt it to slide thereon. Fastened to its top at its rearward end is a bail 41 of inverted U-shape having a fingerlever or pull 42 hinged thereto and terminating in a loop at its free end. At the rearward end of the staple-pusher 40 its sides are slitted upwardly and portions of the metal bent outwardly at right-angles to provide ears or projections 43 which are provided for a purpose as later explained. The finger-piece or pull 42 .is adapted to be swung up into the position shown in Fig. 1 where-it strikes against an abutment 44 on the bail 41 to hold it in elevated position. The finger-piece 42 may thus be projected through the channel in the top of the handle 2 to be grasped by the fingers whereby the pusher can be withdrawn rearwardly on the core 5 when it is required to place a. fresh supply of staples in the magazine.

By retracting the staple-pusher 40 in the handle 2 until its laterally-extending ears 43 are withdrawn beyond the lower edges of the plates 10 the pusher may be lifted from the core 5 and the top of its sides engaged against the inclined edges 13 of the channel flanges 3 whereby to permit insertion of its ears 43 into the notches 12, see Fig. 1. This arrangement for holding the staple-pusher in retracted position and elevated above the top of the staple-core 5 provides for greater convenience in placing the fresh supply of staples in position in the magazine.

The staple-pusher 40 is urged forwardly on the core 5 by means of a, spring 45 coiled within the forward end of the handle 2. The spring 45 is preferably in the form of a. flat ribbon of tempered metal wound into a volute coil 46 which is supported on a mandrel 47. The mandrel 47, shown most clearly in Fig. 5, -is constructed from a strip of sheet-metal shaped to cylindrical form with one of its longitudinal edges turned inwardly at 48 to grip the folded end 49 of the spring 45, see Fig. 6. The coil 46 is inserted'through the slot 24 in the top of the handle 2 and the mandrel 47 projected through its center with the end of-the spring hooked around the inturned edge 48. The opposite edge of the mandrel 47 engages at its ends with the notches 17 formed in the plates 15, previously described as welded to the inner sides of the handle 2. The sides of the handle 2 are formed with openings 53 to adapt the ends .of the mandrel 47 to be inserted therethrough and adjusted to position as shown in Fig. 5,

bail 41 on the staple-pusher 40. and when the latter is drawn rearwardly on the staple-core 5 the spring is unwound under tension. Normally, the tension of the spring 45 tends to draw the pusher forwardly on the core 5 to feed the staples therealong in the usual manner.

The front of the head 20 has a recess 54 extending from a point near its top downwardly to its lower end,- see Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, and arranged to slide in the recess is a reciprocable staple-carrier 55, shown .in perspective view in Fig. 12. The carrier-slide 55 is held within the recess 54 at the front of the head 20 by the folded flanges 23 which extend inwardly from the wings 21 of the handle 2, see Fig. 11. as

previously described. The carrier-slide is forced downwardly within the head 20 under the action of a spring 57 hearing against its top.

The upper end or" the spring 57 is held in a pocket 58 in the upper overhanging portion of the head 20 and its lower coil encircles the head of a stud 60 projecting above the top of the slide 55. The stud 60 has a further omce to hold in place a locking plate 62 which limits the downward sliding movement of the carrier or slide 55 to prevent it from being forced out of the head. The top of the slide 55 is slotted or recessed at 63 and the sides of the recess are formed with horizontal grooves 64, shown in Fig. 12, for receiving splines 65 on the sides of the locking plate 62, see Fig. 7. The locking plate 62 is slid into place and the stud 60 inserted down through a hole in its top as shown in Fig. 2. The lower end of the stud 60 abuts the inner side of a vertical groove or recess in the rearward side of the carrier-slide 55 to prevent the looking plate from sliding forwardly, while the rearward end of the plate abuts the rearward side of the slot or opening 54 in the head 20 to prevent movement in this direction. The rearward end of the locking plate 62 overhangs the side of the slide 55 to adapt it to engage the top of a block 66 held against the rearward side of the opening 54 in the head 20 by means of a rivet 67. The block 65 thus forms an abutment to limit the downward sliding movement of the carrier 55 under the action of its spring 57. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 2 and 5 that the lower edge 68 of the block 66 is disposed in alinement with the edge of the bottom opening in the head 20 to form a continuation thereof in spaced relation above the top of the portion 31 of the block 30, see Fig. 8, whereby to guide the staples along the top thereof.

As shown in Fig. 12, the rearward side of the staple-carrier or slide 55 is grooved or recessed vertically at 73 from top to bottom. Cut through the front of the slide 55 is a slot 69 in which is mounted a pawl 70, shown in perspective view in Fig. 13, for controlling the position of the staples with respect to the staple-driver. The pawl 70 is pivoted on a cross-pin 71 extending into holes in the sides of the slot 69 and its upper end is formed with a fiat surface 72 against which the end of a leaf-spring 75 bears. The

upper end of the spring '75 is secured within a groove or recess 76 at the upper end of the slide 55 by means of a rivet 77. The lower end of the pawl 70 is widened at 78 and formed with a rounded face 79 on its rearward side which functions as a cam in the manner and for the purpose as later explained. As shown in Fig. 5 the spring 75 normally tends to rock the pawl 70 to throw its lower end rearwardly or towards the back of the head, but when the carrier 55 is 'slid upwardly on the head the curved camface 79 rides across the lower end of the stapledriver 80 to retract the pawl into the slot 69 in the slide, see Fig. 6. The opposite sides of the slot 69 in the slide 55 are cut away or recessed at 96 to form shoulders or abutments 95 which function for a purpose as later explained. The lower ends of the recesses 96 are inclined or beveled out- I wardly at 97 for a. purpose as also later explained.

The staple-driver 80 consists of a relatively thin fiat plate of hardened metal formed along its upper edge with a projecting fin or spline 81 which fits within a slot or groove 82 on the forward end of the block 30, see Figs. 2 and 8. The driver 80 is thereby held suspended against the front of the block 30 with its forward side bearing againstthe recessed face of the slot 73 in therearward side of the slide 55. It will be understood that the staple-driver 80 is of a width corresponding to that of the slot 73 in the slide 55 whereby it is held laterally in position by the sides of the slot.

Slidably mounted at the forward end of the block 30 is a staple-guide 85 arranged at the rear of thestaple-driver 80. The forward side of the block 30 is cut away to form a recess 86 within which the staple-guide 85 is received. The stapleguide 85 consists of a, block having vertical splines 87 on its sides adapted to slide in grooves 88 in the sides of the recess or slot 73 of the staplecarrier 55. A helical spring 90 held in a pocket in the guide 85 bears against the underside of the cut out portion of the block 30 to normally slide the guide 85 downwardly, its movement in this direction being limited by a fin or projection 91 at its top which strikes against a projecting lip 92 at the bottom of the opening in the forward side of .the block 30, see Figs. 2 and 4.

The method of operation of the device is as follows: To charge the magazine in the handle 2 with staples the staple-pusher 40 is partly withdrawn from the end of the handle 2 to release its projections 43 from beneath the lower edges of the plates 10, whereby the pusher may be lifted until the top of its sides engage the inclined edges 13. The pusher is then released and its spring l5 will move it forwardly in the handle to cause its ears or projections 43 to engage in the notches 12 in the side-plates 10 to hold it raised above the staple-core 5 in the manner illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The staplepusher is drawn back along the core 5 by grasping the end of the finger-piece 42, the latter being tilted to project it through the slot or opening in the channeled handle 2 by inverting the position of the hammer. The staples are usually packaged in the form of sticks which provide a convenient refill for insertion into the rearward open end of the handle 2 of the hammer, the stick being pushed forward beyond the retraoted staple-pusher 40. After a stick of staples has been inserted into the magazine in this manner the staple-pusher 40 is partly withdrawn from the end of the handle 2 to release its projections 43 from the notches 12 in the plates 10. The pusher is then placed across the top of the core 5, whereupon the tension of its spring 45 will draw it forward to push the whole stick of staples along the core until the foremost staple in the series brings up against the carrierslide 55.

It will be understood that normally the staplecarrier or slide 55 is projected downwardly on the hammer head under the force of its spring 57, see Figs. 2, 5 and 7. With the parts in this position the foremost staple in the stick is urged forwardly by the staple-pusher 40 and held against the bottom of the slot 73 in the staplecarrier 55 with its legs straddling the narrower slot 76 in the upper part of the carrier. With the present type of hammer or tacker it is necessary after the first loading to strike a blow to bring a staple into driving position; but if subsequent loadings are made before all of the staples are exhausted this is not required. The

operator grasps the handle 2 of the hammer and wields the implement to bring the bottom of the slide 55 sharply against some stable object. Under the impact of the blow the slide 55 is forced upwardly within the hammer-head 20 with its spring 57 yielding to allow the retraction of the slide. As the slide 55 is slid upwardly within the head of the hammer the rearward rounded face 79 of the pawl 70 rides across the lower edge of the staple-driver 80, thereby rocking the pawl against the tension of its spring 75 to bring its forward side in alinement with the front of the slide as shown in Fig. 3. As the slide 55 is retracted to this position the staple-stick is slid forward slightly under the impulse of the pusher to feed the foremost staple s into the cavity 96 in the slide beneath the shoulders 95, see Figs. 3 and 12. As the staple assumes this position its legs are straddled across the lower end of the pawl '70 which-has been carried into vertical position as before noted. As the force of the blow of the hammer is spent and its head rebounds or is carried away from the object against which it has been struck the spring 57 imparts a downward movement to the slide 55. As the slide 55 slides downwardly the abutments or shoulders 95 act against the head of the staple s to carry the latter downward in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 4. During this downward movement of the slide 55 the staple-guide 85, which has also been retracted by the impact on the object struck, is forced downwardly under the action of its spring 90 with its movement limited by the engagement of its upper fin or projection 91 with the lip 92 at the bottom of the block 30.

The carrier-slide 55 continues its movement downwardly along the guide 85 until its locking plate 62 strikes against the top of the abutment or block 66 on the front of the hammer-head 20. During this further descent of the slide 55 the pawl 70 comes into action to shift the staple -s carried in the slide into position beneath the staple-driver 80. This is accomplished by the rocking or tilting of the pawl 70 by its spring 75 as its lower end descends beneath the bottom of the staple-driver 80, the rearward recessed side of the pawl bearing against the cross-bar or head of the staple s to force it laterally into position beneath the lower edge of the staple-driver 80, see Fig. 5. The staple s is now held beneath the driver under the resilient pressure of the pawl 70 with its legs bearing against the forward face of the staple-guide 85. With a staple positioned beneath the driver 80 in the manner as above explained, the hammer is ready for continuous operation as long as a supply of staples remains in its magazine. That is to say, as the first staple is driven the slide or carrier 55 will be retracted to receive and position a second staple so that the feeding of the staples and the positioning of them individually beneath the driver 80 is effected continuously at each successive stroke of the hammer.

As an example of the method of operating the hammer or tacker, let it be assumed that a tag or label is to be attached to a box or packing case. The tag T is laid in place on the box B, as indicated in Fig. 6, and the operator seizes the handle of the tacker and wields the instrument to strike a sharp blow with its head against that portion of the tag where the staple is to be inserted. Assuming that a staple s is in position beneath the lower edge of the driver 80 and held in place by the pawl 70, see Fig. 5, as the blow .70

is struck the staple will be driven down through the tag T and into the box B or other object as represented in Fig. 6. During this driving ac tion the staple-guide and the lower end of the slide 55 act to direct the staple in a straight course with its legs prevented from bending or bowing out by the sides of the groove 73 in the slide. As the blow is struck the slightly convexed lower end of the staple-carrier or slide 55 receives the impact and the slide is thereby forced up into the hammer head as the latter descends to complete the setting of the staple. During the latter part of the stroke of the hammer the convexed bottom of the staple-guide 85 meets the object being struck and is also retracted against the force of its spring 90, see Fig. 6.

As the slide 55 slides up into the hammer-head 20 another staple s is pushed off from the end of the core 5 into the recess 96 in the slide beneath the shoulders 95, see Fig. 3, and as the force of the blow is spent and the hammer head withdrawn the slide 'will he slid downwardly again under the action of its spring 57, see Fig. 4. As the slide 55 reaches the limit of its downward movement the rounded face 79 of the pawl 70 slides beyond the lower end of the stapledriver 80 and the pawl is again actuated by its spring 75 to carry the staple into position beneath the lower edge of the driver 80. In this manner a new staple is positioned beneath the driver 80 at each blow of the hammer so as to prepare it for the next operation. It is here noted that the purpose of the bevels 97 in the lower end of the cavity 96 in the slide 55 is to insure that the staple shall invariably be prop-' erly positioned beneath the driver 80. Should the staple be canted as it is moved into driving position by the pawl 70 the beveled surfaces 9'7 will engage the ends of its legs as the slide 55 moves upwardly to force .them into place against the forward face of the guide 85.

It will be seen that the present improved device operates automatically to continuously feed the staples forward to the carrier and position them beneath the driver to be driven as each blow is struck so that it requires no attention on the part of the operator other than to recharge the magazine when the supply of staples therein is exhausted.

The present improved stapling machine or tacker is distinguished from prior devices of the present type in that the staples are supported on means fixed within the magazine handle instead of being fed along a hinged arm or core arranged to move with respect to the handle when the blow is struck. An essential feature of the improvement is the provision of a staplecarrier or slide which is actuated when a blow is struck to retract it into the hammer head to cause it to pick up a staple from the magazine and, thereafter, upon being moved back to normal position on the hammer head, to place the staple beneath the driver which acts positively to drive it into the work. It is believed that this method of operating the stapling-mechanism, that is by providing a slide arranged to pick up the fed staple when moved in one direction and to position the staple beneath the staple-driver when returned to first position, is broadly new in the art ,as applied to any type of staplingmechanism whether adapted for manual or power operation.

It is to beunderstood, therefore, that the present invention is not restricted to use solely in a hammer or tacker, but has a broad scope for use Git of stapling-hammer or tacker in which the stapling-mechanism is employed provides an appliance of great convenience in applying staples, tacks and like fasteners for attaching tags and labels, fastening shades to rollers, tacking matting or carpet to floors and for other uses too numerous to mention.

Without limiting myself to the particular type of appliance herein shown and described or to the specific structure and arrangement of the parts of the stapling-mechanism as illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention, what gsclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a stapling-device, the combination of a magazine for holding a supply of staples, a stapledriver, a staple-carrier, means for feeding a staple from the magazine to the staple-carrier, means for effecting relative movement between the driver and carrier, and means carried by the carrier and movable in relation thereto for pcsitioning the staple carried thereby to adapt it to be driven by the driver.

2. In a stapling-device, the combination of means for feeding staples, a staple-driver for driving the staples into the work, a staple-carrier slidable with respect to the driver into position to receive the fed. staple, means to slide the staple-carrier, and means movably mounted on the carrier and operative on the staple carried thereby to position it to be driven bythe driver.

3. In a stapling-device, the combination of a staple-magazine, a staple-carrier reciprocable with respect to the magazine, a staple-driver, means to reciprocate the staple-carrier, means for feeding a staple from the magazine into the carrier, and means movably mounted on the carrier and actuated during the movement thereof to shift the staple carried thereby to locate it in position to be driven by the driver.

4. In a stapling-device, the combination of a magazine for receiving a supply of staples, a staple-carrier movable with respect to the magazine, means for feeding the staples individually from the magazine to the staple-carrier, a staple driver, and means movably mounted on the carrier and operative upon the movement of the latter to shift the staple into position to be driven by the staple-driver.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a staple-magazine, a staple-driver arranged below the magazine, a staple-carrier reciprocable with respect to the driver, means for feeding a staple from the magazine to the carrier, and means movable on the carrier and actuated during the reciprocation thereof to shift the staple therein to position it beneath the driver.

6. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a staple-magazine, a staple-driver, a staple-carrier, means for effecting relative movement between the staple-driver and the staplecarrier, a staple-guide, and a movable element carried by the carrier and adapted to be actuated automatically to shift the staple carried thereby into position to be operated upon by the driver and to be guided into the work by the stapleguide.

. 7. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a staple-magazine, a stapling-head,

a staple-carrier reciprocable on said head, a staple-driver carried by the head, means for successively feeding staples from the magazine to the staple-carrier, and an element movably mounted on the carrier. and actuated automatically during the reciprocation of the latter to shift the staple carried thereby into position to be operated upon by the driver.

8. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a longitudinally-extending staplemagazine, a staple-carrier reciprocable across the end of said magazine, a staple-driver arranged below the staple-magazine, means for successively feeding staples from the magazine to the staple-carrier, and means on the carrier operative during the reciprocation of the latter to position the staple carried thereby beneath the driver.

9. In a device of the type specified, the combination of means for feeding staples, a stapledriver, a reciprocable staple-carrier adapted to receive a staple, a rockable member on said staplecarrier adapted to engage the staple carried. thereby, and means for rocking said member during the reciprocation of the carrier to carry the staple into position to be operated upon by the driver.

10. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a handle, a magazine in the handle for holding a supply of staples, a head on the handle, a staple-carrier reciprocable on the head, a staple-driver carried by the head, and means carried by the staple carrier and operative during the reciprocation of the latter to position the staple carried thereby beneath the staple-driver.

11. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a handle, a staple-magazine extending longitudinally of said handle, a head at one end of the handle, a staple-carrier slidable on the head and provided with a recessedcavity for receiving a staple fed from the magazine, means for successively feeding the staples from the magazine to the carrier, resilient means for sliding the staple-carrier on the head, and means on the carrier operative during the sliding action of the latter to position the staple carried .thereby beneath the staple-driver.

12. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a hollow handle, a staple-core extending longitudinally within the handle to adapt it to receive a series of staples straddled thereacross, means for sliding the staples along the core to deliver them successively from its end, a head at the forward end of the handle, a staple-carrier reciprocable on said head and provided with a recessed cavity for receiving a staple fed from the end of the staple-core, a staple-driver carried by the head at the end of the staple-core, and means on the carrier automatically operative during the reciprocation of the latter to move the staple carried thereby into position to be operated upon by the driver.

13. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a head, a staple-carrier slidable on said head, a spring for sliding the carrier, a stapledriver fixed on the head in juxtaposition to the carrier, means for feeding staples successively to the carrier, and resiliently-operated means on the carrier for moving the staple carried by the latter into position to be operated upon by the driver.

14. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a hollow handle, a magazine in said handle for holding a supply of staples, a head on the handle, a staple-carrier slidable on the head and adapted to receive a staple fed from the magazine, means for feeding the staples successively from the magazine to the carrier, a staple-driver carried by the head, means for projecting the staple-carrier below the head to adapt it to be retracted when a blow is struck, said carrier operating to receive a staple at each retractive movement, and means on the carrier operative when the latter is moved in the opposite direction to position the staple beneath the driver.

15. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a handle, a magazine in the handle for holding a supply of staples, a head on the handle, a staple-carrier reciprocable on the head, a spring for projecting the staple-carrier into position below the head, said carrier being adapted to be retracted on the head by the impact of a blow, means for feeding a staple from the magazine to the carrier as the latter is retracted, a staple-driver on the head, and means carried by the carrier and cooperating therewith for moving the staple into position beneath the driver as the staple-carrier is projected below the head under the action of its spring.

16. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a head, a staple-carrier slidable on.

the head and having means for receiving astaple, means for successively feeding staples to the carrier, a staple-driver on the head, a pawl, and means for operating the pawl during the sliding movement of the carrier to cause it to shift the staple carried thereby to position it beneath the staple-driver.

17. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a head, a staple-carrier reciprocable on said head, means for sliding the carrier on the head, means for feeding a staple to the carrier, a staple-driver on the head, a pawl rockable on the carrier, and means for rocking the pawl during the downward stroke of the carrier to cause it to shift the staple carried thereby into position beneath the driver.

18. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a handle, a head on said handle, a magazine in the handle for receiving a supply of staples, a staple-carrier reciprocable with respect to the magazine, means for successively feeding staples from the magazine to the carrier, a stapledriver on the head arranged opposite the staplecarrier, a staple-guide slidable on the head at the rear of the staple-driver, and means operative upon the sliding of the staple-carrier to shift the staple carried thereby into position against the staple-guide and beneath the staple-driver.

19. In a stapling machine, the combination of a hollow handle, a staple-core extending within the handle, a head at the end of the handle, a staple-driver carried by the head at the end of the staple-core, a staple-guide slidable on the head at the .rear of the staple-driver, a spring for projecting said staple-guide downwardly below the bottom'of the head, a staple-carrier slidable on the head across the forward end of the staple-core, means for sliding the staples along the core to feed them successively to the staple-carrier, a spring for sliding the carrier downwardly on the head, a pawl on the carrier having a portion adapted to engage the stapledriver during the upward movement of the carrier to force it away therefrom, and a spring for rocking the pawl in the opposite direction during the descent of the driver to cause it to shift the staple carried by the carrier into position beneath the driver. I

20. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a hollow magazine having spaced sides and flanges folded inwardly therefrom and then downwardly in vertical relationship to provide an open channel extending longitudinally of the magazine, a staple-core extending 10 5 tudinally within the magazine with the bottom edges of the vertical portions of the flanges arranged in parallel spaced relation to the top of the core, a staple-pusher slidable along the bination of a sheet-metal magazine having side walls with flanges folded inwardly therefrom to form a channel extending longitudinally of the magazine, a staple-core extending longitudinally within the magazine to adapt it to receive a series of staples straddled thereacross, stapling-mechanism at the end of the magazine, a staple-pusher slidable on the staple-core to feed the staples to the stapling-mechanism, a spring for urging the pusher forwardly on the core, and a fingerpiece pivoted to the pusher and normally enclosed within the sides of the magazine but adapted to be projected out through the channel therein to be grasped by the fingers to effect the retraction of, the pusher against the force of its spring.

22. In a device of the type specified, a staplinghead, stapling-mechanism carried by said head, a hollow magazine extending rearwardly from said head and formed with spaced walls folded inwardly to provide an open channel along one side of the magazine, a staple-core within the magazine adapted to receive a series of staples, a staple-pusher slidable on the core to feed the staples to the stapling-mechanism, a finger-piece onthe staple-pusher adapted to be projected through the channel in the magazine to be grasped for retracting the pusher on the core, projections on the sides of the pusher, and notched members at the rearward end of the magazine adapted to be engaged by the projec tions on the pusher to restrain the latter in retracted position to provide for inserting a supply of staples into the magazine.

23. In a stapling-device, the combination of a magazine for holding a supply of staples, a stapledriver located beneath the magazine, a staplecan'ier slidable vertically with respect to the staple-driver, means for feeding a staple from the magazine into the staple-carrier, means for reciprocating the staple-carrier to carry the staple into position below the driver, and means on the carrier for forcing thestaple laterally forward in the carrier to position its head beneath the staple-driver.

24. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a driver fixedly mounted beneath the end of the magazine, a carrier reciprocable vertically with respect to the driver and provided with means for receiving a fastener delivered thereto from the magazine, means for reciprocating the carrier to bring the fastener carried therein below the bottom of the driver, and means on the carrier operative against the fastener to shift it laterally relatively of the carrier to position it beneath the driver.

25. In a fastener-applying implement, the combination of a handle embodying a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a head at Y end of its stroke, a spring for sliding the carrier downwardly on the head to carry the fastener into position below the driver, and means on the carrier operative at the end of its? downward stroke to shift the fastener laterally in the carrier to position it beneath the driver.

26. In a stapling-device, the combination of a staple-driver, a staple-carrier, means for efiecting relative movement between the staplecarrier and staple-driver, means for feeding staples to the staple-carrier, and an element mounted on the carrier and operative to shift the staple relatively of the carrier to position it beneath the staple-driver.

27. In a stapling-device, the combination of a magazine for holding a supply of staples, a staple-driver, a staple-carrier reciprocable with respect to the staple-driver, means for feeding the staples from the magazine to the staplecarrier, means for reciprocating the staple-carrier, and an element carried by the carrier and movable with respect thereto to shift the staple relatively of the carrier to position it beneath the staple-driver. Y

28. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a staple-driver, a staple-carrier, means for effecting relative movement between the staple-carrier and staple-driver, means for the reciprocation thereof to act on the staple toforce it laterally forward relatively of the carrier to position it beneath the driver.

ARTHUR H. MAYNARD. 

